Former Sen. Sheila Kuehl announces run for L.A. County supervisor

Former State Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) announced her bid for L.A. County supervisor.

Former State Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) announced her bid for L.A. County supervisor. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Anthony York

SACRAMENTO -- Former state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) made it official Thursday. She will be a candidate for the seat being vacated by Zev Yaroslavsky on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Kuehl, who served as chair of the Senate Health Committee during part of her 14-year tenure in Sacramento, said the board was a natural fit for her policy interests.

“I have been steeped in the very issues that are under the purview of our Supervisors every day,” Kuehl said in a statement mailed to supporters seeking donations for her campaign.

Yaroslavsky, who has served on the county board since 1994 and was first elected to the L.A. City Council in 1975, will be forced to step down due to a new term limits law which is beginning to take hold next year. Supervisor Gloria Molina will also be prohibited from seeking reelection.

Former U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis is among the candidates running for Molina’s seat next year.